Australian Journal of Crop Science   AJCS

MAY 2021 | 15(05):2021 | 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05


Efficiency and persistence of insecticides with different action mechanisms applied on wheat stored pest Sitophilus zeamais

Deivid Araújo Magano, Ivan Ricardo Carvalho, Ana Paula Doberstein, Murilo Vieira Louro, Valeria Bubans, Lucas Drebes, Jerson Vanderlei Carus Guedes, Francine Lautenchleger, Luiz Leonardo Ferreira, Walter Boller

Universidade Regional do Noroeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Ijuí, RS, Brasil
Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brasil
Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste (Unicentro), Guarapuava, PR, Brasil
Centro Universitário de Mineiros, Mineiros, Goiás, Brasil
Universidade de Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, RS, Brasil


Abstract
Sitophilus zeamais is the most important insect-plague among stored grain pests. The method of chemical control based on phosphine is the most used for its control, however, this method presents some inconveniences, being a costly method in labor and dangerous to the operators from the toxicological point of view. Thus, the use of preventive control, which consists of the application of liquid insecticides on the mass of grains, during the loading of the warehouse, appears as an alternative against the attack of the pests that tend to settle in the mass of grains. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency and persistence of insecticides with different mechanisms of action on S. zeamais on stored wheat, simulating ideal storage conditions. An experiment was performed composed of the active ingredients: abamectin, spinosad, lambda-cyhalothrin + chlorantraniliprole, bifenthrin as a positive control, and the negative control was distilled water. The experimental design was a completely randomized block design with four replicates. The wheat was stored in Gerbox containing 250 grams, all samples being treated directly in these containers by spraying the liquid on the wheat grains. After spraying, the samples were homogenized and infested with 15 adult individuals of S. zeamais and deposited in an air conditioned room at 30 ± 1 °C and relative humidity of 30 ± 2%, in order to provide conditions of high biological activity of the insects. The active ingredients spinosad and abamectin promoted a 100% control of S. zeamais up to 120 days of conduction of this assay. Regarding biological persistence, the active ingredients lambda-cyhalothrin + chlorantraniliprole and bifenthrin had control effects up to 60 days after application while the active principles abamectin and spinosad persisted until the end of the bioassay observations.

Pages 618-621 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p2387
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Multidimensional scaling for divergence analysis in pepper

Júlio Carlos Polimeni de Mesquita, Elizanilda Ramalho do Rêgo*, Angela Maria dos Santos Pessoa, Anderson Rodrigo da Silva, João José da Silva Neto, Maílson Monteiro do Rêgo

Agronomical Institute of Pernambuco, Brazil
Federal University of Paraíba, Brazil
Federal University of Ceará, Brazil
Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Goiano, Brazil
Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Mato Grosso, Brazil


Abstract
Pepper plants of the genus Capsicum present wide genetic variability for phenotypical characters. The joint analysis of quantitative and qualitative characters is a more complete indicator to identify the existing variability in populations of plants. This work aimed to evaluate the genetic divergence within F3 populations of Capsicum annuum L. through the multidimensional scaling based on the joint analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. The work was developed in at the Center of Agrarian Sciences of the Federal University of Paraíba, state of Paraíba, Brazil. Eight populations of an F3 generation were employed, performing the characterization of 36 qualitative and quantitative characteristics. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with eight treatments and 50 replications. The non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) was performed based on Gower’s dissimilarity matrixes. Dispersion diagrams were built to present the nMDS solutions in the bidimensional space. The nMDS mapping was efficient on estimating divergence within populations with Kruskal’s Stress below 20%. The internal uniformity presented by populations P-4, P-5, P-6, P-7, and P-8 is an indicator that the genotypes of these populations are suitable to be used in future genetic breeding programs of ornamental peppers. Conversely, populations P-1, P-2, and P-3 presented the greatest dispersion, characterizing phenotypical variability. The multidimensional scaling was efficient to estimate the genetic divergence among and within F3 populations of ornamental pepper.

Pages 622-627 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p2693
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Intermediate resistance to nematode Meloidogyne paranaensis in Híbrido de Timor coffee genotypes

Gustavo Hiroshi Sera*, Lucas Eduardo Fernandes, Inês Cristina de Batista Fonseca, Dhalton Shiguer Ito, Luciana Harumi Shigueoka, Valdir Mariucci Junior, Kawana Silva Bortolato, Antônio Alves Pereira

Instituto de Desenvolvimento Rural do Paraná – IAPAR-EMATER (IDR-Paraná), Plant Breeding Department, Londrina, PR, Brazil
Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Postgraduate Program in Agronomy, Londrina, PR, Brazil
IDR-Paraná, Plant Protection Department, Londrina, PR, Brazil
Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais (EPAMIG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil


Abstract
The aim of this study was to prove that Híbrido de Timor (HdT) accessions are resistance sources to Meloidogyne paranaensis. Two experiments were carried out in a greenhouse at IDR-Paraná (Londrina, Paraná State, Brazil). Open pollinated fruits were harvested from 10 accessions (HdT UFV 380-05, HdT UFV 408-10, HdT UFV 408-11, HdT UFV 408-28, HdT UFV 428-04, HdT UFV 439-14, HdT UFV 443-08, HdT UFV 445-70, HdT UFV 446-138, HdT UFV 448-75) from the EPAMIG/ UFV germplasm bank. Seeds of these accessions were sown to obtain seedlings to test the resistance to M. paranaensis. For each experiment, a completely randomized design was used with 11 treatments, eight replications and one plant per plot. Cultivar Mundo Novo IAC 376-4 was the susceptible check. Seedlings with three to four pairs of leaves were transplanted into plastic cups with a capacity of 700 mL and 1200 eggs. The J2 of M. paranaensis (IP) were inoculated after one month. The assessments were performed 134 days after inoculation, when the data of the number of eggs and J2 per gram of roots and the final population of nematodes (FP) were obtained. The reproduction factor (RF) was calculated using the formula: RF = IP / FP. To classify the resistance levels of the genotypes, the reproduction factor reduction (RFR) was used. It classified the levels from highly resistant to highly susceptible. Different levels of intermediate resistance between the accesses were observed, highlighting HdT UFV 408-28 that presented moderate resistance to M. paranaensis. HdT UFV 408-28 showed a high percentage of plants with intermediate resistance, which can be used in breeding programs aimed at resistance to M. paranaensis.

Pages 628-633 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p2742
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Selection of potato clones derived from seed tubers for nutritional efficiency to phosphorus

Darlene Sausen*, Ivan Ricardo Carvalho, Miriam da Silva Tavares, Márcio Renan Weber Schorr, Raíssa Schwalbert, Camila Peligrinotti Tarouco, Ritieli Baptista Mambrin, Anderson Cesar Ramos Marques, Francine Lautenchleger, Fernando Teixeira Nicosolo

Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
Northwest Regional University of the State of Rio Grande Do Sul, Ijuí, RS, Brazil
Goiás State University, Posse, GO, Brazil
National Supply Company, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
Riograndense Higher Education Center, Marau, RS, Brazil
University of the Midwest, Guarapuava, PR, Brazil


Abstract
To develop agricultural systems that produce more food with limited availability of phosphorus (P) it is necessary to explore the genetic variability of plants and select potato clones that are more efficient at P use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of four potato clones for P nutritional efficiency in closed off-soil growing system using native soil as substrate. Therefore, seed tubers from the four potato clones (Asterix, Atlantic, SMIC 148-A and SMINIA 793101-3) were planted in plastic pots with native soil as a substrate, where the treatments consisted of two levels of P (0.025 and 0.11g kg-1 KH2PO4). 52 days after planting, the concentration of P in the shoot, the shoot and the total dry mass, the rooting efficiency, P absorption, P translocation and use of P were evaluated. SMIC 148 -A is the clone that most concentrates P in the shoot and that produces more total dry mass under low P, while SMINIA 793101-3 is the most efficient clone in the absorption and translocation of P under low nutrient level, however, the Asterix and Atlantic clones showed greater efficiency in the use of P.

Pages 634-637 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p2837
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Calcium, copper, manganese and zinc and plant diseases: a review

Eloisa Lorenzetti*, José Renato Stangarlin, Jeferson Carlos Carvalho, Camila Hendges, Tatiane Calandrino da Mata, Alfredo José Alves Neto, Taís Regina Kohler, Luciano Tartaro, Giovana Ritter, Olivia Diulen Costa Brito, Cristiani Belmonte, Lorraine Tomim Feroldi, Roberto Cecatto Júnior

Federal University of Paraná – UFPR, Palotina – Paraná – Brazil, street Pioneiro, Number 2153, Zip Code: 85950-000, Dallas Garden
State University of West Paraná - Unioeste, Marechal Cândido Rondon – Paraná – Brazil, street Pernambuco, Number 1777, Zip Code: 85960-000, Box: 91, Center


Abstract
All crops are usually affected by phytosanitary and nutritional problems. It is known that fertilizers can elevate productivity and control of diseases, characteristics that make nutrients indispensable in combating hunger, and can help to reduce the use of fungicides and their negative impact on the environment. There are more than 15 elements considered essential for plants, including calcium, manganese, copper, and zinc, which will be detailed in this study in order to understand how they can affect the control of plant diseases.


Pages 638- 642 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p2845
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Application of Trichoderma harzianum on the physiological quality of cowpea seeds

Marcelo Laranjeira Pimentel*, Henara Valéria Miranda Castro, Mike Kirixi Munduruku, Larissa Conceição Cunha Ponte, Deyvielen Maria Ramos Alves, Rodrigo Batista Pinto, Juan Daniel Villacis Fajardo, Nancy Andrea Villacis Fajardo, Deyviane Ramos Alves, Laércio Santos Silva

Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, Paulista State University, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
Federal University of Western Pará, Santarém, PA, Brazil
Amapá State University, Amapá, AP, Brazil
National University of Peruvian Amazon, Iquitos, Peru

Abstract
The use of fungi in seed treatment can improve the plant's physiological characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the use of Trichoderma harzianum on the physiological quality of bean seeds. The experiment was set up and conducted in the forest seed laboratory of the Federal University of Western Para, in a randomized design, using 4 procedures on the basis of a colony forming unit (CFU): T1 (0 CFU), T2 (4 x 109 CFU), T3 (8 x 109 CFU) and T4 (12 x 109 CFU), with 5 repetitions. Germination percentage (G%), germination speed index (GSI), hypocotyl length (HL) and radicle length (RL) were evaluated as variables. The data were analyzed by variance analysis and the averages were compared using the Tukey test (p≤0.05), in addition to the regression analysis, using the Minitab© version 18 statistical software. There were differences between the germination percentage tests, in which T2 obtained 100% of germinated seeds, for GSI it was observed that T2 and T3 were equal and superior to the other treatments, while for RL T1 and T2 obtained the best results, however, for HL there were no statistical differences between treatments. T2 was more efficient in the physiological quality of seeds to germination percentage and germination speed index.

Pages 643-648 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p2865
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The effect of temperature on the okra drying process: kinetic study and physical properties of powders


Francislaine Suelia dos Santos*, Rossana Maria Feitosa de Figueirêdo, Alexandre José de Melo Queiroz, Ana Raquel Carmo de Lima and Thalis Leandro Bezerra de Lima

Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Aprígio Veloso Street, 882, Campina Grande, Brazil, CEP - 58429-970

Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of drying temperature (50, 60, 70 and 80 °C) on okra dehydration by comparing its powder’s physical properties obtained from a sample produced by a lyophilization process. Ten drying models were adjusted to the experimental data of the drying kinetics. As a result, effective diffusivity and activation energy were determined in addition to thermodynamic parameters: entropy, enthalpy and Gibbs free energy. A physical characterization, as well as the pigments and colorimetry analyses of the aforementioned powders were made, by comparing them with samples produced by lyophilization. The powders were characterized for hygroscopicity, solubility, wettability, apparent and compacted density, fluidity and cohesiveness, pigments, colorimetric, morphological analysis (SEM) and X-ray diffraction. Midilli model was the one that best adjusted to the drying kinetic curves. There was a booster in the effective diffusion coefficient with the increase of temperature. Enthalpy and entropy were reduced with the increase of both drying temperature and Gibbs free energy. The powders presented high luminosity, and the lyophilized powder had higher pigments retention and greater solubility. All powders presented poor fluidity and intermediate cohesiveness, with amorphous, irregular and asymmetric particles. Thus, from the present study it was possible to evaluate the best drying method, the one that should be applied for the drying of okra, considering the costs involved, its quality and the final application of the product, meeting the specific needs of each consumer.

Pages 649-660 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p2919
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Soil CO2 emission in ‘Tifton 85’ bermudagrass pasture fertilized with liquid pig slurry

Adilson Amorim Brandão*, Eduardo Guimarães Couto, Renato de Aragão Ribeiro Rodrigues, Oscarlina Lúcia dos Santos Weber, Osvaldo Borges Pinto Júnior

Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Mato Grosso, Sorriso Campus, Sorriso, 78895-150, Mato Grosso, Brazil
Federal University of Mato Grosso, Department of Soils and Rural Engineering, Cuiabá, 78060-900, Mato Grosso, Brazil
Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) Embrapa Soils, Rio de Janeiro, 22460-000, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fluminense Federal University, Geochemistry Department, Niterói, 24020-141, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
University of Cuiabá, Cuiabá, 78065-900, Mato Grosso, Brazil


Abstract
The application of liquid pig slurry (LPS) to pastures offers potential as a fertilizer but could have a direct influence on soil CO2 emissions. This study evaluated soil carbon dioxide emissions after successive LPS applications to soils under pasture cultivation. The experiment was carried out on ‘Tifton-85’ bermudagrass pasture cultivated in a red-yellow oxisol soil in the municipality of Lucas do Rio Verde-MT, Brazil. Two treatments were evaluated: the control and an application of 20 m3 ha-1 of LPS after each cut of the pasture. The CO2 emissions from the soil were determined using a high-precision infrared gas analyzer. Soil temperature and soil moisture were determined as were micrometeorological variables. The application of LPS had a significant effect on soil C-CO2 flow. The average flow of C-CO2 from the soil for the control treatment and with the application of LPS was 0.236 g C-CO2 m-2 h-1 and 0.291 g C-CO2 m-2 h-1, respectively. The application of LPS increased the accumulated CO2 emissions from the soil by 23.2%. Soil temperature and moisture are the main factors regulating the process of soil CO2 emission. These factors therefore need to be considered when evaluating the impact of LPS application on greenhouse gas emissions.

Pages 661-668 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p2959
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Production and characterization of lyophilized powder of yellow mombin (Spondias mombin L.) and umbu (Spondias tuberosa)


Polyana Barbosa da Silva*, Francisco de Assis Cardoso Almeida, Josivanda Palmeira Gomes, Semirames do Nascimento Silva, Antonio Jackson Ribeiro Barroso, Joselito de Sousa Moraes, Luzia Márcia de Melo Silva, Joana D´arc Paz de Matos, Luis Paulo Firmino Romão da Silva, Bruno Adelino de Melo, Christiane Mendes Cassimiro Ramires

Federal University of Campina Grande, Campus I, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil
Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Alagoas, Campus Murici, Murici, AL, Brazil
Paraiba Research, Rural Extension and Land Regularization Company, Brazil


Abstract
Yellow mombin and umbu are appreciable fruits with growing demand in the Northeast region of Brazil, used mainly in the form of pulps, juices, and ice cream, having great economic potential. Lyophilized products have high added value for maintaining a good part of their nutritional characteristics. The objective was to produce and characterize yellow mombin and umbu powders by lyophilization, using different concentrations of maltodextrin. The pulps were prepared in five formulations considering the addition of maltodextrin, with 0, 10, 20, 25 and 30% for yellow mombin and 0, 10, 15, 20, and 30% for umbu. Then they were frozen and lyophilized in a model L101 lyophilizer at a pressure at a final pressure of 170 mmHg and a temperature of (-50 ºC +/- 3 ºC). The physical-chemical characterization of the whole pulps and of the yellow mombin and umbu powders was carried out and were determined: water content (%), aw (water activity), protein (%), lipids (%), ash (%), ascorbic acid (mg of ascorbic acid.100g-1), SS (ºBrix), pH, titratable acidity (%), SS/AT ratio, color (L*, a * and b*), solubility (%) and hygroscopicity (%). Only in the formulation with 30% maltodextrin the water content of the powders was less than 5%, as recommended by the legislation for lyophilized fruits. The lower water activity (aw) was also obtained in this formulation, in addition to increased solubility and reduced hygroscopicity, which are factors that favor the quality and conservation of powders, which are more suitable for the production of food products.

Pages 669-675 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p2971
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Structural and functional stability of photosystem-II in Moringa oleifera under salt stress

Sadia Bashir, Misbah Amir*, Faiza Bashir, Muhammad Javed, Adnan Hussain, Saba Fatima, Rabia Parveen, Aneela Kanwal Shahzadi, Shehrooz Afzal, Shumaila Raza, Tooba Horain, Ayesha Iqbal, Ayesha Pervaiz, Atiq-ur-Rehman2, Ahsan Ayyaz*, Zafar Ullah Zafar, Habib-ur-Rehman Athar

Institute of Pure and Applied Biology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
SAKIMS College for boys Bahadurpur, Multan, Pakistan
Department of Botany, University of Education, D.G. Khan Campus, Pakistan
Institute of botany, Quide e Azam campus, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, Pakistan
Institute of Plant Biology, Biolgical Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungary 6726


Abstract
The photosynthetic efficiency in plants is affected by salinity. Focus of this study was to observe the consequences of salinity on the rate of photosynthesis in Moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) plants. Experiment was conducted under field conditions with 3 replicates and data of treated and non-treated plants was collected accordingly. Photosynthetic rate was affected by different levels of salt stress. The change in photosynthetic was attributes were determined by OJIP and light response curve calculations by using Fluor Pen [FP 100-PS (Photon system, Czech Republic)] and DUAL-PAM-100 (Walz, Germany). Salinity stress decreased chlorophyll a fluorescence characteristic. The significant quantity of electron transport (φEo), quantum yield of primary photochemistry (φPo), proficiency per trapped excitation (Ψo) and performance index of photosystem II (PSII). Performance index (PIABS) was also declined with salinity in M. oleifera. Our results showed that electron transport rate and photosynthetic rate were inhibited by salinity in M. oleifera. However, in M. oleifera electron transport pathway of PSII was repressed and found varied in plants which are salt resistant. It was concluded that Y(I), ETR(I), Y(II), ETR(II), and Y(NA) were decreased by increasing salinity while NPQ, Y(ND), Y(NO) and Y(NPQ) increased in plants having resistance to salt stress.

Pages 676-682 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p2996
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Anatomical and physiological characteristics of leaves from Eugenia dysenterica DC. can predict nutritional deficiency symptoms

Layara Alexandre Bessa, Luciana Cristina Vitorino*, Fabiano Guimarães Silva, Sebastião de Carvalho Vasconcelos Filho

Laboratory of Plant Mineral Nutrition; Instituto Federal Goiano (Goiano Federal Institute), Rio Verde campus, Rio Verde - GO, Brazil
Laboratory of Plant Anatomy; Instituto Federal Goiano, Rio Verde campus, Rio Verde - GO, Brazil


Abstract
Plants receiving insufficient concentrations of the different essential nutrients may respond symptomatically to this stress. However, when the first visible symptoms of nutritional deficiency appear, plants already exhibit significant changes in their structure. As seedlings of E. dysenterica are important for the recovery of degraded areas and as the fruits of this species are widely exploited commercially, we decided to evaluate whether the omission of nutrients may affect the leaf anatomical ultrastructure, dry matter production and the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments in this plant, in an attempt to use data of this nature to predict symptoms of nutritional deficiency in seedlings of this species. For this purpose, we grow seedlings in a hydroponic system, offering all nutrients and also omitting each nutrient individually. Thus, we evaluated the effect of the omission of each nutrient on the anatomical leaf structure, dry mass production and the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments. Seedlings that grew in the absence of Ca and Mn exhibited compromised spongy parenchyma and mesophyll development, while the omission of K and Mg increased the number of epidermal cells and stomata. Low dry mass production in E. dysenterica was related to the omission of S and Mn, while P, N and Fe deficiencies directly affected the synthesis of pigments. Thus, leaf anatomical and physiological data can predict nutritional deficiency conditions, enabling the user to diagnose the deficiency before the onset of symptoms in E. dysenterica seedlings. Our results may help investigators to understand the effects of nutritional omissions on other native Cerrado plants.

Pages 683-694 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p3003
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Fermentation profile and nutritive value of maize silage with Brachiaria species

Daniel Augusto Alves Teixeira, Kátia Aparecida de Pinho Costa, Wender Ferreira de Souza, Eduardo da Costa Severiano, Kátia Cylene Guimarães, Jessika Torres da Silva, Suelen Soares Oliveira, Mariana Borges de Castro Dias

Graduate Program in Animal Science, Goias Federal University, Goiânia-GO, Brazil
Graduate Program in Agricultural Sciences/Agronomy and Animal Science, Goiano Federal Institute, Rio Verde-GO, Brazil


Abstract
The production of mixed silages is a technique that has emerged as a viable alternative for supplying nutrients during food-shortage periods in the dry season, in addition to guaranteeing the highest ensiled mass production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fermentation profile and nutritional value of maize silage with Brachiaria species. The experiment was carried out under a completely randomized experimental design with four replications. The treatments comprised the following types of silage: maize; Congo grass; Xaraes palisadegrass; Paiaguas palisadegrass; maize + 30% Congo grass; maize + 30% Xaraes palisadegrass; and maize + 30% Paiaguas palisadegrass. For ensilage, maize and grasses were harvested in a 105-day cycle at a depth of 20 cm from the soil surface. According to the results, the maize silage and mixed silages presented an adequate fermentation profile and improved nutritional value. Among the investigated Brachiaria species, Paiaguas palisadegrass emerged because of its protein increase and low ADF content; therefore, this species is recommended for use in mixed silage production. Thus, mixed silage can be used as an alternative for animal feed supplementation.

Pages 695-702 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p3004
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Active packaging using Scenedesmus sp. and agar delays maturity and maintains post-harvest quality of 'Paluma' guavas

Ágda Malany Forte de Oliveira*, Railene Hérica Carlos Rocha de Araújo, Kalinny Araújo Alves, Francisco de Assis de Sousa, Albert Einstein Mathias Medeiros Teodosio, Elny Alves Onias, Ana Paula Nunes Ferreira, Luana da Silva Barbosa, Vander Mendonça, Alzira Maria de Sousa Silva Neta, Kaikí Nogueira Ferreira, Luciana Freitas de Medeiros Mendonça

Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid (UFERSA), Rua Francisco Mota Bairro, 572 - Pres. Costa e Silva, CEP 59625-900, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Rua Jairo Vieira Feitosa, 1770 - Pereiros, CEP 58840-000 Pombal, Paraíba, Brazil
Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), Rodovia BR 079 – Km 12, CEP 58.397-000 Areia, Paraíba, Brazil
Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Avenida Universitária, s/n - Santa Cecilia, CEP 58708-110, Patos, Paraíba, Brazil


Abstract
The use of new technologies is important for the preservation of guava, especially in reaching long-distance markets, being indispensable to associate storage techniques to increase the durability of fresh fruit. We evaluated the efficiency of edible coatings based on agar and Scenedemus sp. on the quality and post-harvest conservation of 'Paluma' guava. The experiment consisted of a randomized design with four replicates. The treatments (T) were composed of mixing concentrations between agar and Scenedesmus sp.: A: (0% + 0%); B: (0% + 0.5%); C: (0% + 1%); D: (0% + 2%); E: (3% + 0%); F: (3% + 0.5%); G: (4% + 0%) and H: (4% + 0.5%) applied by immersion. At the end of 11 days of storage at 10 °C ± 2ºC and 65% ± 5% RH, the fruit was analyzed. There was a significant effect (P < 0.05) of the coating based on Scenedesmus sp. on the brightness (L*) of the peel and pulp of guava, hue (°h) and chromaticity (C*) of the peel, loss of fresh mass, firmness of the pulp, ascorbic acid, titratable acidity, pH, SS/AT ratio, and total sugars. We observed a lower maturation and maintenance of the post-harvest quality of 'Paluma' guava with the active packages corresponding to treatments F and H. This included the maintenance of the indexes L*, C* and h of peel color, retention in the loss of fresh mass, in the firmness and maintenance of organic acids.

Pages 703-707 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p3011
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Sources and doses of nitrogen in plant cane production and residual effect on the first ratoon of sugarcane in a savannah Red Oxisol

Flávio Henrique Ferreira Gomes, Frederico Antonio Loureiro Soares, Marconi Batista Teixeira, Antonio Evami Cavalcante Sousa, Edson Cabral da Silva, Vitor Marques Vidal, Alefe Viana Souza Bastos, Nelmicio Furtado da Silva, Fernando Nobre Cunha, Wilker Alves Morais, Leonardo Nazário Silva dos Santos, Cicero Teixeira Silva Costa, Leonardo Rodrigues Dantas

Instituto Federal Goiano Campus Rio Verde, Rio Verde 75901-970, GO, Brazil
Instituto Federal Goiano Campus Rio Verde, Rio Verde 75901-970, GO, Brazil
Instituto Federal Goiano Campus Ceres, Ceres 76300-000, GO, Brazil
Instituto Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, Campus Naviraí, Naviraí 79950-000, MS, Brazil


Abstract
The expansion of sugarcane cultivation, especially in areas with low natural soil fertility, such as savannah regions, requires greater efficiency in the application of nutrients, mainly nitrogen (N). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of the application of different sources and doses of nitrogen on the dry matter yield and productivity of sugarcane in the plant cane cycle and the residual effect of such application on the first ratoon cycle of sugarcane (var. SP80-1816) cultivated in a dystrophic Red Oxisol. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design analyzed in a factorial scheme of 2 × 4 with three replications. The evaluated factors consisted of two sources of N (ammonium nitrate (AN) and urea (U)) and four doses of N (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1). Samples of the aerial part of the sugarcane were collected. The structural components of the aerial part were separated, and the leaf dry matter (LDM), stalk dry matter (SDM) and dry matter of the aerial part (DMAP) were analyzed. The productivity of stalks (PS) was determined by weighing all stalks present in the useful area of each plot. In the plant cane cycle, AN resulted in greater gains in the SDM and PS of sugarcane than did U. In the first ratoon cycle, a residual effect was observed in response to N application, which showed an increase in SDM and PS. Under the conditions of this study, to achieve a higher PS in both cycles, the application of 180 kg N ha-1 is recommended.

Pages 708-715 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p3016
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Plant biomass and fruit quality response of greenhouse tomato under varying irrigation level and water quality

Jeet B. Chand*, Guna Hewa, Ali Hassanli, Baden Myers

UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, 5095, Australia

Abstract
The impact of water quality with varying deficit irrigation level on the plant biomass and fruit quality parameters of greenhouse tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L. cv Izmir) was investigated. A pot-based experiment was carried out over two growing seasons (2017-2018 and 2018-2019). Three water qualities: groundwater, recycled wastewater and an equal mix of both were applied in four irrigation scenarios which aimed to maintain soil moisture levels at 60%, 70%, 80% and 100% of field capacity. A surface drip irrigation system was designed maintaining irrigation frequency of two days. Results showed that both water quality and deficit irrigation significantly affected plant biomass. The fresh fruit weight was rather uniform, ranged from 53.2 to 85.4 gram and found highest in full irrigation. Most of the fruit quality parameters were not significantly affected by water quality.The significantly higher values of total soluble solid (7.87 degree brix), fruit firmness (9.28 kg/cm2), fruit pH (4.24) and vitamin C content (68.33 mg/kg) were measured in treatments maintaining soil moisture content at 60% of field capacity (most water-stressed conditions). Based on these findings, it recommended that by adopting deficit irrigation and maintaining soil moisture at 60% of field capacity, fruit quality parameters can be significantly improved. In contrast, fresh fruit weight and plant biomass were reduced.

Pages 716-724 | Full Text PDF| Supplementary Data PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p3052
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Pollen morphology of Malvaceae genera from Saudi Arabia and its taxonomic significance

Kadry Abdel khalik*, Suad Al-Ruzayza, Abdullah Assiri, Ahmed Elkordy

Biology Department, Faculty of Applied Science, Umm-Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
Botany and Microbiology Department, College of Science, Taibah University, Ola, Saudi Arabia
Forensic Lab-Criminal Evidence-Ministry of interior, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia


Abstract
Pollen morphology of 20 species belong to seven genera (Abutilon, Althaea, Hibiscus, Malva, Pavonia, Senra and Sida) of Malvaceae from Saudi Arabia were studied by using light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Quantitative and qualitative pollen morphological characters which vary among investigated taxa are found in the pollen polarity, symmetry, size, shape, polar axis, equatorial diameter, P/E ratio, average height and width of spine, aperature character and spine index. The pollen grains vary from spheroidal, prolate spheroidal, oblate spheroidal to suboblate. All taxa were characterized by relatively large to medium sized pollen grains, numerous pores scattered irregularly all over the grain, and echinate sculpturing. Sida ovata is the largest size pollen grain (138.95) µm. On the other hand, Malva parviflora showed the smallest pollen size (52.28 µm). The average height and width of spine varied greatly among studied taxa. The highest spines (20.65µm) found in Sida ovata, while the shortest (3.19 µm) was found in Abutilon pannosum. Results of the pollen shape, size, and exine sculpture characters offered useful data for evaluating the taxonomy of Malvaceae both on subgeneric and sectional levels. A key for the identification of the investigated taxa based on pollen grains characters is also provided.

Pages 725-742 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p3129
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Evaluation of the sole and integrated application of nano-graphene oxide, zeolite, and chitosan on gas exchanges and silymarin content of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) under salinity stress

Sara Safikhan, Mohammad Reza Chaichi*

Department of Plant Science, Huntley College of Agriculture, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, USA

Abstract
Identifying environmental factors, plant characteristics, and agronomic activities plays an essential role in medicinal plant production. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) is a well-known medicinal plant with extensive use in diverse liver diseases and is economically a significant crop. This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of the sole and integrated applications of graphene oxide (GO), zeolite, and chitosan as modifying materials on gas exchange and the secondary metabolites of milk thistle under severe salinity stress. Seven sole and integrated combinations of nano-materials comprised of T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, and control (T8, no nano-materials application) and two levels of saline water (12 ds/m) and tap water (control, 0.8 ds/m) were applied to the soil of experimental plots based on a factorial design with three replications. The results showed that the highest photosynthesis rate was obtained with T7 treatment for both water treatments. The highest plant silymarin concentration was obtained from the T6 treatment under both saline and tap water conditions. This treatment increased the silymarin concentration by 15.9% compared to the T8. The highest plant silymarin yield (180 mg per plant) was recorded for the T7 under tap water (control) condition, and 130.3 mg/plant for T6 under salinity stress, respectively. The Transmission Electron Microscope technology indicated that GO at low concentration (0.01%) could be safely used to enhance milk thistle germination and growth under severe salinity stress conditions.

Pages 743-756 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p3131
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Alteration of dry matter accumulation under soil moisture fluctuation stress in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Cut Nur Ichsan*, Bakhtiar Basyah, Sabaruddin Zakaria, Efendi Efendi

Graduate School (Agricultural Sciences) Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
Laboratory of Experimental Farm and Green House Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
Laboratory of plants breeding Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
Laboratory of seed technology Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia

Abstract
Drought-flood abrupt alterations (DFAA) is a condition in drought season when sudden rain inundate rice plants. These events are due to the high frequency of extreme climate events that might pose a threat to rice productivity. DFAA causes cumulative stress on rice which affects crop growth and alters dry matter accumulation. This study aims to understand the effect of DFAA to dry matter accumulation by assessing six rice varieties under DFAA. Three treatments were provided such as continuously irrigated as non-water stress (NS) as a control; drought to water stress -35 kPa (DFAA1) followed by sudden flood; drought to severe water stress -70 kPa (DFAA2) followed by abrupt floods; repeated until harvest. The study found that the alteration of dry matter accumulation was determined by root length, root weight, shoot length and shoot weight. Only varieties that are able to increase root depth under water stress fluctuation will be able to maintain the yield. The results of study showed that root depth was positively correlated with shoot length (r = 0.68), shoot weight (r = 0.62), root weight (r = 0.57), percentage of filled grain (r = 0.55) and number of filled grain per hill (r = 0.49). Shoot length was positively correlated with shoot weight (r = 0.83), root weight (r = 0.75) and the number of filled grain (r = 0.62), while shoot weight was only positively correlated with root weight (r = 0.88). This means that only root depth and shoot length can increase the seed setting rate and the number of filled grains per hill. Furthermore, at DFAA2, the percentage of filled grain was highest in Sipulo followed by Bo Santeut, Sanbei, Towuti and Situ Patenggang, which mean that varieties with deeper and heavier root dry weight can maintain higher yields than shallow and low root dry weight. The result of the study may allow to select rice varieties that are resistant to multilevel water-stress and able to maintain the potential yield, by looking at root depth, root dry weight, and through their grain yield in general. These traits could become key indicators for resistance to DFAA stress in rice. It is also necessary to pay attention to the fluctuation of soil water content in critical phases, especially in the reproductive phase and grain filling.

Pages 757-763 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p3142
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Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) phenology, growth, and yield under subtropical climatic conditions: Effects of cultivars and crop management

Aleyda Acosta-Rangel, Jack Rechcigl, Simon Bollin, Zhanao Deng, Shinsuke Agehara*

University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Wimauma, FL 33598, US.
Hillsborough County Florida, Economic Development Department, Agriculture Industry Development. Tampa, FL 33602, US.


Abstract
Commercial hop (Humulus lupulus L.) production occurs predominantly in temperate climates. The objectives of this study were to characterize the phenology of hops under subtropical climatic conditions and to determine the growth and yield potential. Two field experiments were conducted in Florida, southeastern United States. Rhizomes were planted in April. Data were collected during the establishment year. In the first experiment, we evaluated 7 American, 5 European, and 1 Japanese cultivars in a randomized complete block design. Bine height, main bine number, lateral shoot number, and dry cone yield (10% moisture) were recorded. Yield varied considerably, ranging from 0 to 197 kg ha–1. The top three yielding cultivars were ‘Cascade’, ‘CTZ’, and ‘Nugget’, all of which were American cultivars. Yield had positive correlations with main bine number and lateral shoot number, but it had no significant correlation with bine height. In the second experiment, we determined the duration of each phenological stage in ‘Cascade’. Reproductive phenology was characterized by premature and nonsynchronous flowering. Prolonged flowering resulted in multiple harvests over 61 days, starting in mid-June. We also evaluated crop management treatments, which consisted of three levels of hill spacing (76, 91, and 107 cm) and two nitrogen (N) rates (109 and 130 kg ha–1) in a factorial combination. Treatments were arranged in a split-plot design with hill spacing as the main-plot factor. Yield on a per-area basis increased with reducing hill spacing and increasing N rate by 41% and 38%, respectively. Our results demonstrate unique reproductive phenology of hops under subtropical climatic conditions, which prevents once-overharvest but enables the off-season supply of fresh hops over an extended period. This study provides a benchmark to develop production strategies for hops suitable to subtropical climates.

Pages 764-772 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p3192
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Effect of glyphosate and glufosinate on nutritional content and agronomic performance of maize possessing cp4epsps and pat transgenes

Gabriel Viana de Araújo, Alfredo Junior Paiola Albrecht, Leandro Paiola Albrecht, Hudson Wallace Pereira de Carvalho, Rafaela Alenbrant Migliavacca, André Felipe Moreira Silva*

Federal University of Paraná, Palotina, PR, Brazil
University of São Paulo, Nuclear Energy Center in Agriculture, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
Crop Science, Palotina, PR, Brazil


Abstract
The aim of this study was to check the tolerance level of maize possessing the transgenes cp4epsps and pat, exposed to high rates of glyphosate or glufosinate. Field experiments were carried out in 2016/17 at the first growing season; and the other in the second growing season, in Palotina, state of Paraná (PR), Brazil. The design was completely randomized block with 4 replications, which were set up with variations of rates of herbicides: glyphosate (0; 2,160; 4,320; 6,480 and 8,640 g ae ha-1) (experiment 1) and glufosinate (0; 1,500; 3,000; 4,500 and 6,000 g ai ha-1) (experiment 2). The application was performed at the V4 stage. Plants were evaluated for injuries, final plant height, stem diameter, 100-grain mass, yield and content of P, K, S, Fe, Cu and Zn. The results show that there was no reduction in yield and 100-grain mass, as well as changes in nutrient contents, even with the use of high rates of glyphosate and glufosinate. This is explained by the rapid recovery of maize hybrids under favorable developmental conditions. Despite causing injuries and decreased height, application of glyphosate (up to 8,640 g ae ha-1) or glufosinate (up to 6,000 ai ha-1) did neither reduce yield and 100-grain mass nor the nutrient contents of grains. This shows the high selectivity of these herbicides. Nonetheless, crop injury and reduction in height were observed in maize plants for herbicide application. This indicates the risks of using herbicides above the rates recommended in the package insert, despite the absence of deleterious effects on yield.

Pages 773-779 | Full Text PDF| Supplementary Data PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p3193
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Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) as a remedy to oxisol contaminated with different mercury (Hg2+) concentrations

Letícia Fernanda Lavezzo*, Denise de Lima Dias Delarica, Anne Hélène Fostier, Everlon Cid Rigobelo, Roberta Souto Carlos, Camila Chioda de Almeida, Danilo Olandino Souza, Wanderley José de Melo


Department of Soil, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
Chemistry Institute, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
Department of Microbiology, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
A&L Biologicals Agroecology Research Services Center, 2136 Jetstream Road London, ON N5V3P5, Canada


Abstract
We evaluated Hibiscus cannabinus (kenaf) to remedy oxisol contaminated with Hg2 + potential. The study was conducted in a controlled environment in pots with soil contaminated with HgCl2 solution, in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments: control (without Hg2+) and treatments with 5, 24 and 36 mg Hg2+ kg-1 of soil and 5 replicates / treatment. The quantification of total Hg in plant and soil samples was performed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Kenaf grown in contaminated pots did not show visual symptoms of toxicity. Plant height did not differ among treatments, but the dry shoot phytomass was 21.65% higher in control than the average of treatments with Hg. Treatment with 24 mg kg-1 showed dry root phytomass greater than control and the others. In general, oxisol was responsible for retaining greater amount of Hg than plants. Hg accumulated in greater proportion in roots than in shoots. In pots that received 36 mg kg-1, plants accumulated average of 2.57 mg kg-1 of Hg / pot, differing from the other treatments and the Hg transfer factor (TF) in plants was also calculated as the ratio of the concentration in shoots and in roots. The values were as follows: 3.11 for T1, 1.26 for T2, 0.05 for T3 and 0.02 for T4. Treatments showed no difference between T3 and T4 and TF decreased with increasing Hg dose. It could be concluded that Hg was more adsorbed by oxisol than by plants. Plants showed resistance to different soil Hg concentrations and can be considered as potential Hg2+ stabilizer.

Pages 780-786 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p3194
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Bacillus subtilis – capacity for enzymatic degradation, resistance to trace elements, antagonisms and siderophore production

Bianca de Melo Silveira dos Santos, Maura Santos dos Reis de Andrade Silva, Davy William Hidalgo Chávez, Everlon Cid Rigobelo

Graduate Program in Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, State University of São Paulo (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
Graduate Program in Food Science and Technology of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (PPGCTA-UFRRJ), Seropédica, Brazil


Abstract
The use of microorganisms in agriculture as biofertilizers and biocontrol agents, in addition to their use in biotechnological practices, has been explored increasingly frequently over the years. Some bacteria, including Bacillus subtilis, have many capabilities related to promoting plant growth. The present study attempted to evaluate eight B. subtilis strains regarding their capacity for enzymatic degradation, resistance to trace elements, antagonism against phytopathogenic fungi and siderophore production. The tests were performed in plate dishes and test tubes with six repetitions for each bacterial isolate. The results showed that all isolates were able to perform enzymatic degradation to phosphatase, amylase and cellulase. Regarding resistance to trace elements, for Cd, 0.5 mmol L-1 was sufficient to prevent the development of strains 248, 263 and 320; for Cu, isolate 263 obtained greater resistance; for Zn, isolate 320 was inhibited at 2.0 mmol L-1, for Cr(III), isolates 290 and 291 showed greater resistance to the metal, whereas for Cr(VI), isolates showed the same resistance pattern; and for Ni, isolates showed the same resistance behavior. In vitro antagonism occurred for all isolates; however, the antagonism occurred at different intensities, except for isolate 291. The production of siderophores was identified for only six isolates: 287, 320, 309, 274, 263 and 248. These results establish a foundation for further investigations to clarify the conditions and/or characteristics required by isolates for a more effective performance, observing metabolic routes and genetic mechanisms.

Pages 787-795 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.21.15.05.p3206